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Discusses safety issues for those with vertigo. Offers checklists with tips for home and personal safety. Offers links to more extensive info on Ménière's disease, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), and dizziness and lightheadedness.

Discusses safety issues for those with vertigo. Offers checklists with tips for home and personal safety. Offers links to more extensive info on Ménière's disease, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), and dizziness and lightheadedness.

Vertigo: Staying Safe When You Have Balance Problems

Introduction

Many people experience the spinning
sensation of
vertigo. The loss of balance it causes puts you at
risk for falling and can also affect your quality of life if your fear of
falling leads to a less active lifestyle.

How can you make your environment safer?

Store household items on low shelves to eliminate the
need to climb or reach high. If climbing is essential, use a step stool with
handrails.

Keep driveways, sidewalks, and interior walkways clear
of anything that might cause you to trip.

Personal tips that can help prevent injury during an
episode of vertigo:

Avoid driving.

Avoid working at
heights.

Wear shoes with low heels and nonslip
soles.

Keep your shoes tied.

Alert family and friends
to your condition and how they can help during an attack of
vertigo.

Know whether medicines you take can affect your sense of
balance.

Using a safety checklist(What is a PDF document?) can help you make your home environment safe. Use it to be sure that your living space is free from clutter and that your bathroom and kitchen are safe.

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How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.